Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in subterranean mole-rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, and its peripheral isolates

Patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were examined in 133 mole-rats constituting all four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 2n = 54, 2n = 58, and 2n = 60) of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, as well as the peripheral isolates of 2n = 60. In the main range of the complex, a total of 28 mtDNA haplotypes were found in 64 mole-rats, with most haplotypes being unique to either a single chromosomal species or population. mtDNA divergence increased from low to high diploid number in a north-to-south direction in Israel. Overall levels of mtDNA diversity were unexpectedly the highest in the 2n = 60, the youngest species of the complex. The mtDNA haplotypes can be separated into two major groups, 2n = 52-54 and 2n = 58-60, and a phylogenetic analysis for each group revealed evidence of a few haplotypes not sorted by diploid number. The overall patterns of mtDNA divergence seen within and among the four chromosomal species are consistent with the parapatric mode of speciation as suggested from previous studies of allozyme and DNA hybridization. In a separate data set the patterns of mtDNA variation were examined across the main geographic range and across peripheral semi-isolates and isolates of the 2n = 60 chromosomal species. Fifteen haplotypes were found in 69 mole-rats. High levels of mtDNA diversity characterized the main range, semi-isolated, and even some desert isolated populations. The peripheral isolates contain much mtDNA diversity, including novel haplotypes.      

Variation in testosterone production among boards and its relationship to sexual interest and breeding performance

Variation in ability to produce testosterone in response to both GnRH and ACTH administration and quatitative relationships between GnRH-stimulated testosterone levels, ACTH-stimulated testosterone levels, sexual interest and breeding performance were assessed in a group of 31 Duroc boars (115.4 +/- 2.5 kg body weight and 212.2 +/- 3.0 days of age). Mean area beneath the testosterone response curve increased (P<0.01) after GnRH and ACTH but the magnitude of response was variable among boars. Post-GnRH testosterone area varied from 7.44 to 50.86 ng/ml X h with a CV = 52.41% while post-ACTH testosterone area varied from 4.99 to 28.78 ng/ml X h with a CV = 45.46%. Mean sexual interest and mean breeding performance scores were correlated (r = 0.67, P<0.01); however, correlations of either variable with testosterone areas were low and nonsignificant. These results indicate that the testosterone-producing ability of boars of similar age and breeding is highly variable and suggest that peripheral testosterone concentrations may not be good indicators of either libido or breeding performance.     

ANATOMICALLY PRESERVED SEED CONES OF THE PINACEAE FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS OF VIRGINIA

A collection of anatomically preserved conifer cones from the Early Cretaceous of Virginia contains two new species of the extinct pinaceous genus Pityostrobus. Superficially, the fossil cones resemble those of modern species of Picea. However, the fossils reveal such a peculiar mixture of anatomical features that they cannot be assigned to any extant genus of the Pinaceae. One of the new species, Pityostrobus hueberi, is most comparable with Pityostrobus corneti Alvin from the Early Cretaceous of Belgium. Pityostrobus virginiana, the other new species, differs from all other members of the genus in only slight—but nonetheless significant—attributes. Pityostrobus hueberi and P. virginiana are the first species of this genus to be reported from Early Cretaceous sediments of the North American Atlantic Coastal Plain. As such, they increase our knowledge of the structural variation exhibited by ancient members of the Pinaceae.     

Studies on the subunits of the anthranilate synthetase-phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex from Salmonella typhimurium.

Both uncomplexed subunits of the anthranilate synthetase-phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex from Salmonella typhimurium have an absolute requirement for divalent metal ions which can be satisfied by Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, or Co²⁺. The metal ion kinetics for uncomplexed anthranilate synthetase give biphasic double-reciprocal plots and higher apparent K_m values than those for anthranilate synthetase in the enzyme complex. In contrast, the apparent K_m values for phosphoribosyltransferase are the same whether the enzyme is uncomplexed or complexed with anthranilate synthetase. This suggests that the metal ion sites on anthranilate synthetase, but not those on phosphoribosyltransferase, are altered upon formation of the enzyme complex. These results and the results of studies reported by others, suggest that complex formation between anthranilate synthetase and phosphoribosyltransferase leads to marked alterations at the active site of the former, but not the latter enzyme. Uncomplexed anthranilate synthetase can be stoichiometrically labeled with Co(III) under conditions which lead to inactivation of 75% of its activity. A comparison of the effects of anthranilate and tryptophan on phosphoribosyltransferase activity in the uncomplexed and complexed forms shows that anthranilate, but not tryptophan, inhibits the uncomplexed enzyme. The complexed phosphoribosyltransferase shows substrate inhibition by anthranilate binding to the phosphoribosyltransferase subunits. In contrast, in a tryptophan-hypersensitive variant complex, anthranilate inhibits phosphoribosyltransferase activity by acting on the anthranilate synthetase subunits. The data are interpreted to mean that there are two classes of binding sites for anthranilate, one on each type of subunit, which may participate in the regulation of anthranilate synthetase and phosphoribosyltransferase under different conditions.     

(p-Amidinophenyl)methanesulfonyl fluoride, an irreversible inhibitor of serine proteases

p-(Amidinophenyl)methanesulfonyl fluoride (p-APMSF) has been synthesized and shown to be a specific, irreversible inhibitor of the class of plasma serine proteases which demonstrate substrate specificity for the positively charged side chains of the amino acid lysine or arginine. In equimolar concentration, this compound causes immediate and complete irreversible inhibition of bovine trypsin and human thrombin. A 5-10-fold molar excess of reagent over enzyme is required to achieve complete irreversible inhibition of bovine Factor Xa, human plasmin, human C1-r, and human C1-s. the Ki of p-APMSF for all of the above-mentioned proteases is between 1 and 2 microM. In contrast, p-APMSF in large molar excess does not inactivate chymotrypsin or acetylcholinesterase. The unique reactivity of p-APMSF has been further shown in comparison with the related compound p-nitrophenyl (p-amidinophenyl)methanesulfonate which is an active-site titrant for thrombin but reacts poorly with Factor Xa, C1-r, and C1-s and is not hydrolyzed by bovine trypsin or human plasmin. Similarly, (p-amidinophenyl)methanesulfonate has a Ki of 30 microM for thrombin but is a poor inhibitor of trypsin, Factor Xa, C1-r, C1-s, and plasmin. Studies with bovine trypsin have demonstrated that the inhibitory activity of p-APMSF is the result of its interaction with the diisopropyl fluorophosphate reactive site. The unique reactivity of this inhibitor classifies it as one of the most effective active site directed reagents for this class of serine proteases. Collectively, these results suggest that the primary substrate binding site of these enzymes, which share a high degree of structural homology, do in fact significantly differ from each other in their ability to interact with low molecular weight inhibitors and synthetic substrates.     

Loss of lymphocyte cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase activity in malignant melanoma.

Cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase activity was depressed in whole thymus and spleen as well as isolated splenic lymphocytes from B16 melanoma bearing C57B1/6J mice as compared to control animals. A similar loss of enzyme activity was observed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes from melanoma bearing patients as compared to normal subjects. An unaltered level of activity in the heart of tumor bearing mice suggested some specificity for the lymphoid system. This depressed enzyme activity was the result of a diminished Vmax for cAMP stimulated calf histone phosphorylation. The tumor bearing state in the mouse was also accompanied by a depletion of small lymphocytes from both thymus and spleen and it is hypothesized that the losses of lymphocytes and cAMP dependent protein kinase activity are related.     

Evidence that the acidic polysaccharide secreted by Agrobacterium radiobacter (ATCC 53271) has a seventeen glycosyl-residue repeating unit.

The extracellular anionic polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Agrobacterium radiobacter (ATCC 53271) contains D-galactose, D-glucose, and pyruvic acid in the molar ratio 2:15:2. Analysis of the methylated polysaccharide indicated the presence of terminal, non-reducing glucosyl, 3-, 4-, 6-, 2,4-, and 4,6-linked glucosyl residues, 3-linked 4,6-O-[(S)-1-carboxyethylidene]glucosyl residues, and 3-linked galactosyl residues. Partial acid hydrolysis of the methylated polysaccharide, followed by reduction with NaB2H4 and then O-ethylation, gave a mixture of alkylated oligoglycosyl alditols that were separated by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. and analyzed by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, g.l.c.-m.s., and glycosyl-linkage composition analysis. Smith degradation of the polysaccharide gave three diglycosyl alditols that were separated by semi-preparative, high-pH anion-exchange chromatography, and were analyzed by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, g.l.c.-m.s., and glycosyl-linkage composition analysis. The polymer obtained by NaBH4 reduction of the periodate-oxidized polysaccharide was methylated, and the noncyclic acetals were hydrolyzed with aq. 90% formic acid to generate a mixture of partially O-methylated mono- and di-glycosyl alditols. The partially O-methylated oligoglycosyl alditols were O-ethylated. The resulting alkylated oligoglycosyl alditols were separated by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and then characterized by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, g.l.c.-m.s., and glycosyl-linkage composition analysis. The results from the studies described here provide strong evidence that the acidic polysaccharide secreted by A. radiobacter (ATCC 53271) has a heptadecasaccharide repeating unit.